Local Central New York Book Club Information

Book clubs are a great way for book-lovers to unwind while enjoying a connection with others and intellectual stimulation.
 
If you would like to join an established book club in the Syracuse, NY area, Creekside's Book Club is a great choice. Anyone can join and the club normally meets the week before the author's lecture in the cozy Skaneateles Creekside Book Store to discuss Gifford Lecture Series authors. It's a great monthly outing that will ensure you get the most out of the lecture series. Other local book groups include Readers with Raquets, The Best Book Club in Town, and the Good Books Club.  The Tuesday Pageturners is a new book group at the Central Library.  They meet the second Tuesday of each month on the 5th Floor in the Smith Room at the Central Library. 

We want to learn all about YOUR BOOK GROUP!  From time to time our authors are willing to host special events or luncheons either at the library or out in the community.  Since you love books, authors and reading we thought you would want to be among the first to know when those opportunities arise!!  We'd love to hear from you!  Send an email to the office at the Friends of the Central Library at focl@onlib.org and give us the name of your book group, a contact name, and either a phone number or an email address.  We'll let you know when we have extra author opportunities for you!

Or, if you would like to start your own book club...

You can do so in just a few easy steps.

Recruit members.

Call or e-mail your friends, family or coworkers explaining you'd like to start a book club.  Encourage those who are interested to sign up and ask everyone to share the information with others who may be interested. You may also choose to advertise the book club with posters in book stores or libraries and using social media like Facebook or Twitter.
 
Choose a meeting place.

Find a quiet and comfortable place to hold your book club. The most important part of choosing a location is to ensure it is free of distractions. Your book club should be a relaxing time for members to connect and share their thoughts. You may choose to have one set location, rotate the location between members' homes, or hold the book discussions in a public place like a library, coffee shop, or restaurant. You can even conduct your book club online if you'd like, via a blog, Facebook or Twitter.
 
Create your reading list and schedule.

What types of books will your club read? Will you focus on a particular genre or rotate specific themes such as authors, classics, Asian literature, or short story collections?
 
The Rosamond Gifford Lecture Series affords book clubs a unique opportunity to hear authors speak and even meet them. If you choose to focus on Lecture Series authors, you can meet up for your regular book discussion and then follow that up with a fabulous night out with the author. This season's authors are:

• Isabel Wilkerson
• Tim Egan
• T.C. Boyle
• Jacqueline Woodson
• Lisa See
• Jennifer Egan

Enjoy!

Many book clubs like to incorporate food, wine, coffee and other elements into the book club to make them extra enjoyable. You may choose to do this, or just focus on your reading list. Either way, the book club is sure to be one of your favorite evenings of the month!